Profiteer primed for showdown
G1 Longines Golden Slipper S., $3,500,000, 1200m
Profiteer (Capitalist) suffered his first defeat last-start, going down to a fast-finishing Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) by the narrowest of margins. He was four weeks between runs and wanted to over race out in front. Like his fellow juvenile rivals the testing conditions is an unknown and could bring about his downfall if he doesn’t relax under Hugh Bowman.
Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) was luckless last-start in the G2 Todman S. when held up until the final 200 metres. When the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained colt finally found an out he went on to savage the line.
Classy filly Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) looks the key danger to the two-star colts. Drawn in barrier 10, she can roll back under Nash Rawiller and come at the leaders late.
Last-start G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Artorius (Flying Artie) will look to achieve a rare juvenile feature double when he steps out here. The flashy Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained colt seemed to handle the clockwise circuit when tested in a recent Randwick trial.
Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) failed to fire when expected to win last Saturday in the G3 Pago Pago S. However, if he can reproduce his impressive second placed performance behind Artorius in the G1 Blue Diamond S. expect him to put in an improved showing.
Fellow Godolphin colt Anamoe was fantastic at his first Sydney attempt, winning a strong edition of the G2 Todman S. He has the scalps of Profiteer and Stay Inside on his resume, but will need to be at his peak from barrier 16.
Mo’unga returns hungrier
G1 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas, $600,000, 2000m
Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) was a hard luck story in the Randwick Guineas when finishing second behind Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributor {Ire}). There he found himself stuck in between runners at a vital stage and flashed late.
If he handles the bottomless surface, he can turn the tables on Lion’s Roar, who himself looks to be better suited out to 2000 metres.
Lone filly Montefilla (Kermadec {NZ}) was slow into stride first-up over 1400 metres in the G1 Surround S. Now second-up and getting out over distance where she’s beaten Lion’s Roar at Group 1 level should see her right in the money.
Wheelhouse (Pierro) was impressive in defeat in the G1 Randwick Guineas. There he sat four-wide on a hot speed and still found the line strongly. Like his rivals, the step up in trip will be of benefit.
Khoekhoe (Turffontein) looks ready for 2000 metres but will need to scale new heights to be competitive, while Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) has had an extra week to recover from a long float trip after a gut busting All-Star Mile run.
Rivalry renewed
G1 Ranvet S., $700,000, 2000m
Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) renew their rivalry, 12 months after the former prevailed in. The William Haggas-trained Addeybb has since scaled further heights, winning a high rating Group 1 on home soil in England over 2000 metres.
The pair have both plotted the exact same path as last year, with Addeybb resuming from a five-month layoff while Verry Elleegant presents third up. So, sit back, relax and enjoy what these two superstars produce, as both gallopers relish a rain affected surface.
The rescheduling of this meeting has allowed G1 Cox Plate-winning entire Sir Dragonet (GB) (Camelot {GB}) to make the trip up to Sydney. Expect the talented 5-year-old to be improved stepping out over a more suitable distance third-up.
Godolphin galloper Colette (Hallowed Crown) is also a new accepter. The Group 1-winning mare failed to fire last-start against weaker opposition but will appreciate finding a rain affected surface.
The Team Hawkes-trained Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) put in a commendable effort and can improve stepping out over more ground.
Tailleur’s baptism of fire
G1 Bisley Workwear The Galaxy S., $700,000, 1100m
The James Cummings-trained mare Tailleur (Shooting To Win) looks primed to add a Group 1 to her resume. The classy 4-year-old has earned her chance to compete at the highest level after progressing through her grades and failing to miss the quinella at all eight attempts. With only 51kgs on her back, expect the proven mudlark to look the winner halfway down the straight.
Eduardo (Host {Chi}) nosed out superstar sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) last-start in a thrilling finale at even weights. The only knock on the Joseph Pride-trained gelding is that history is against him with 58kgs on his back, as only three other runners have carried more than 56.5kgs to victory in the races 39-year history.
Wild Ruler
Talented colt Wild Ruler (Snitzel) is a live chance after getting in with only 52kgs. He’s well weighted and has the ability, but is yet to compete on a worse than Soft track.
The Chris Waller-trained Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) flies fresh, boasting three top two finishes from as many starts first-up, while notorious mudlark Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) gets his desired wet conditions.
Funstar to fly
G1 The Agency George Ryder S., $1,000,000, 1500m
The Chris Waller-trained Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) looks ready to add an open age Group 1 to her already impressive CV, after finishing 0.6l fourth behind star mares, Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Colette (Hallowed Crown) in the G1 Chipping Norton S. Now third-up and finding a wet surface should see her get every chance at success.
Funstar’s stablemate Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) gets a fantastic chance to claim a deserved Group 1. The ever consistent 6-year-old can settle in behind a genuine tempo from barrier 11 and produce with a strong run out wide.
Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) is a pillar of consistency, having placed at 24 of his 37 career starts. The John Thompson-trained gelding was solid on return, finishing 2.9l fifth over 1300 metres at Randwick.
Dreamforce (orange silks)
Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is in the same boat when it comes to getting through worse than Soft going. Track conditions aside, if the dry track Kolding turns up, he’s a genuine winning chance.
Godolphin gelding Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) looks to have a genuine chance at winning another Group 1, despite having spent 14 starts in exile from the winner’s stall. The rising 7-year-old loomed to run past Verry Elleegant and Colette first-up over a mile but peak on his run late, while stablemate Cascadian (GB) worked home nicely on resumption, albeit against weaker opposition.
Talented types Collide
G3 XXXX N E Manion Cup, $160,000, 2400m
The Australian Bloodstock-owned import Collide (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looks ready to progress here. The former French galloper was impressive at his first Australian start, working home nicely into third behind the classy Mount Popa (Ire) (Maxios {GB}).
Trained by Kris Lees the lightly-raced 6-year-old can improve again stepping out over 2400 metres on a testing surface.
Sacramento (Pierro) is yet to miss the money this time in, boasting three victories and two placings from five attempts. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained 4-year-old will be able to press forward from barrier four and use his fitness to advantage. The only concern is that he missed the placing at his only attempt on a Heavy surface.
Addeybb’s travel companion and stablemate Favourite Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ire}) lines up for his first attempt on Australian soil. The progressive 4-year-old has been impressive in his short career to date, having prevailed by 8.5l on a rain-affected surface prior to departing England. This isn’t his grand final so expect him to be finding the line and acclimatising to his new conditions.
OTI galloper Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) looks shades of his former, self but can improve stepping out to a distance where he boasts Group 1 glory, while fellow OTI-owned gelding Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) can put in an improved effort ahead of a tilt at next month’s G1 Sydney Cup.
Beauty to bounce back
G3 TAB Birthday Card S., $160,000, 1200m
Written Beauty (Written Tycoon) was touted as a key danger to superstar sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) last-start in the G2 Challenge S. However, she failed to let down. Now third- up and dropping back to more suitable class expect her to be a big improver.
Emanate (Lonhro) had every chance to run past Vulpine (Snitzel) and Seasons (Sebring) when heavily supported at Randwick last start. She has again been identified as a key winning chance despite drawing awkwardly in barrier 16.
The aforementioned Vulpine and Seasons were fantastic last start, running the one two in a strong edition of the G3 Wenona Girl Quality. Seasons can turn the tables here with luck from barrier 12, meeting Vulpine 1.5kgs better off at the weights and with the benefit of a run under her belt.
Every Rose (Choisir) dismantled a strong field two back in the G2 Light Finger S. and has since produced a brave on paced performance in the G1 Surround S. Now third-up she can potentially run her rivals ragged form the front, bearing she gets through the wet conditions.
Ideel candidate
G3 Roadwork Solutions Epona S., $160,000, 1900m
The Bjorn Baker-trained She’s Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}) was brave in defeat last start, finishing a narrow second behind talented stablemate Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel). Expect her to prove hard to hold out third-up and stepping out in trip with luck in running from barrier two.
Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) will relish the conditions on offer here. The Chris Waller-trained mare has found a rain affected surface at 10 of her 11 top three finishes while Icebath (Sacred Falls {NZ}) is a strong chance with luck from a tricky barrier. will be set a task jumping the widest of all runners in barrier 16.
Welsh Legend (Camelot {GB}) was dominant last week when winning at this track and trip. There’s no reason to suggest that he won’t handle the quick back up, but he will need to go to another level rising sharply in class.
Miss Siska (So You Think {NZ}) should have no problems getting through the going and can prove hard to run down, rolling forward from barrier six while last-start winner Missybeel can give sight from out in front.
Isotope eyes redemption
Listed Irresistible Pools & Spas Darby Munro S., $140,000, 1200m
Isotope (Deep Field) returns after losing her mount in the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Classic. She hasn’t race for two months but she flies fresh and loves 1200 metres, boasting three top two finishes from as many attempts. Despite her class the Tony Gollan-trained filly is yet to see a Heavy track.
Private Eye (Al Maher) is building an imposing record having won his last five consecutive after going under on debut. He presents here a month between runs but will appreciate the freshen-up.
Impressive last-start winner Marboosha (Dream Ahead {USA}) has been the beneficiary of a rescheduled meeting. The talented Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly is yet to miss the placings at six career starts and boasts a strong placing behind high-class filly Written Beauty (Written Tycoon).
Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) hit the line strongly on resumption after spotting the leaders a significant margin on straightening. Trained by Team Hawkes, the colt is drawn to take up a more forward position this time in. Expect James McDonald to work his mount into a wide position before letting down with a strong turn of foot in suitable conditions.
